NURS 120 | INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING | EXAM
1 STUDY GUIDE 2026
1. A nurse is caring for a patient scheduled for an elective surgery. The patient states, ‘I am
not sure if I want to go through with this after all.’ Which is the most appropriate nursing
intervention?
A. Reassure the patient that the surgeon is highly skilled and the procedure is safe.
B. Notify the surgeon that the patient has expressed doubts regarding the procedure.
C. Inform the patient that the surgery is necessary for their long-term health.
D. Ask the patient to sign the consent form anyway and discuss it with the family.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: It is the nurse’s responsibility to notify the surgeon if the patient
expresses doubt or lack of understanding, as obtaining informed consent is the surgeon’s
legal responsibility.
2. A patient exhibits a positive Chvostek’s sign. Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse
suspect?
A. Hyperkalemia
,B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Chvostek’s sign, a facial twitching when the facial nerve is
tapped, is a classic sign of hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia.
3. An arterial blood gas (ABG) result shows: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and an elevated PaCO2
above 45 mmHg with a normal HCO3 indicates a respiratory origin.
4. During the intraoperative phase, which member of the surgical team is responsible for
maintaining the sterile field and passing instruments?
A. Circulating Nurse
B. Scrub Nurse
, C. Anesthesiologist
D. Surgeon’s Assistant
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The scrub nurse or surgical technologist works within the sterile
field, while the circulating nurse works outside it.
5. A post-operative patient experiences a sudden wound evisceration. What should be the
nurse’s immediate action?
A. Cover the wound with sterile towels soaked in normal saline.
B. Push the protruding organs back into the abdominal cavity.
C. Apply a tight pressure dressing to prevent further protrusion.
D. Place the patient in a High-Fowler’s position to assist breathing.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Evisceration is a medical emergency; organs must be kept moist
with sterile saline until the surgeon can intervene.
6. Which assessment finding is most indicative of fluid volume deficit (dehydration)?
A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Increased skin turgor
C. Distended neck veins
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING | EXAM
1 STUDY GUIDE 2026
1. A nurse is caring for a patient scheduled for an elective surgery. The patient states, ‘I am
not sure if I want to go through with this after all.’ Which is the most appropriate nursing
intervention?
A. Reassure the patient that the surgeon is highly skilled and the procedure is safe.
B. Notify the surgeon that the patient has expressed doubts regarding the procedure.
C. Inform the patient that the surgery is necessary for their long-term health.
D. Ask the patient to sign the consent form anyway and discuss it with the family.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: It is the nurse’s responsibility to notify the surgeon if the patient
expresses doubt or lack of understanding, as obtaining informed consent is the surgeon’s
legal responsibility.
2. A patient exhibits a positive Chvostek’s sign. Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse
suspect?
A. Hyperkalemia
,B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Chvostek’s sign, a facial twitching when the facial nerve is
tapped, is a classic sign of hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia.
3. An arterial blood gas (ABG) result shows: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and an elevated PaCO2
above 45 mmHg with a normal HCO3 indicates a respiratory origin.
4. During the intraoperative phase, which member of the surgical team is responsible for
maintaining the sterile field and passing instruments?
A. Circulating Nurse
B. Scrub Nurse
, C. Anesthesiologist
D. Surgeon’s Assistant
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The scrub nurse or surgical technologist works within the sterile
field, while the circulating nurse works outside it.
5. A post-operative patient experiences a sudden wound evisceration. What should be the
nurse’s immediate action?
A. Cover the wound with sterile towels soaked in normal saline.
B. Push the protruding organs back into the abdominal cavity.
C. Apply a tight pressure dressing to prevent further protrusion.
D. Place the patient in a High-Fowler’s position to assist breathing.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Evisceration is a medical emergency; organs must be kept moist
with sterile saline until the surgeon can intervene.
6. Which assessment finding is most indicative of fluid volume deficit (dehydration)?
A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Increased skin turgor
C. Distended neck veins
